GOLDFINGER

GUY HAMILTON

The classic James Bond pictures of the 1960s arguably built the template for the action movie, with the casual outrageousness of their audacious set pieces, coupled with considerable swagger and a predilection for killer quips, making for a winning formula that prevails to this day.

For many, Goldfinger– the third in the series and the first bona fide global box-office blockbuster – remains the definitive Bond movie. It’s a delirious cocktail (shaken, not stirred) of beautiful women (notably Honor Blackman’s Pussy Galore), colourful villains (evil henchman Oddjob and his razor-tipped bowler hat) and inspired gadgets. Who wouldn’t love an Aston Martin with machine guns and an ejector seat? Add Sean Connery at his manly finest, the incomparable Gert Frobe as Auric Goldfinger, plus quotable moments on tap – “Do you expect me to talk?” “No, Mr. Bond. I expect you to die.” – and you’ve got vintage Bondage indeed. Forget those cropped TV screenings: this rare big-screen outing is simply not to be missed (Notes by Derek O’Connor.)